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Welcome to the Future! Translate Text Instantly with Word Lens

Sunday, December 26th, 2010 – running time 05:04
Word Lens is an augmented reality app that instantly translates and manipulates text using your iPhone's video camera. This is not a hoax, this is real and it is completely mind blowing.

Segments

Every once in a while some new technology comes along that takes us by surprise and reminds us that we do indeed live in the future.

Word Lens is an app that translates text in real-time using your iPhone or iPod Touch's video camera. The app recognizes text, translates it, and then overlays the translation on top of the object you're looking at. It's like putting on a pair of glasses that instantly translate printed words for you.

The app is free, but the ability to translate words comes at a cost. To use Word Lens as a translator you must purchase language packs separately at $4.99 a piece. The free part of the app includes two fun modes that can reverse or erase any text that you point your camera at.

The app works like a charm under the right conditions, but your milage may vary depending on lighting and the size & shape of the fonts that you want to translate.

Review by: Graham Hancock

Word Lens

AppJudgment:
Download

Download
Word Lens

Version 1.0 | Developed by Quest Visual | 3.1 MB | Free

PROS:
- Works instantly
- Simple, easy operation
- No data connection required
- Straight out of science fiction!
- Great wow factor

CONS:
- Conditions have to be right
- A few bugs here and there
- Doesn't work well with styled or serif typefaces
- Premium features must be purchased separately

00:43

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Pros, Cons and Final Judgment

While Word Lens does have a few flaws it doesn't seem right to judge the app too harshly given how well it works under the right conditions. This app is truly groundbreaking and a leap forward in what we thought our phones were capable of. The future is here, and while we may not have Jetpacks yet, we do have Word Lens. Download the app if you haven't already!

03:22

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Do you have another app you'd like us to review? Email us at appjudgment at revision3 dot com, ping us in the forums or on Twitter: @AppJudgment

Far too many people do not understand that alcohol, drugs, and driving DO NOT MIX. The message is simple guys: Drinking and Driving? Over the Limit? Under Arrest! Don't put yourself or others in danger. Law enforcement officials will be out in full force all over the country from December 16th through the 30th, cracking down on drunk drivers. Beyond putting your life at risk, you could cost yourself a bundle of time and money: jail time, the loss of their driver's license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, and court costs, car towing and repairs, lost time at work and the list goes on. The worst/best part of drinking and driving is that it can be avoided so easily. You can still go out and have fun, just plan ahead: if you are going to drink, designate a driver, call a taxi, use mass transit, or find some kind of sober ride program.